Favorites from the Lot Garden: The Smoke Tree or Cotinus Coggygria

Why we love it: The plumes of this plant make a sublime and elegant statement- providing incredibly smokey focal pieces in floral arrangements, while the leaves make perfect boutonniere backings.

You may not know: The root and the stem of this magical plant were traditionally cultivated for a vibrant yellow-orange dye.

What makes it ideal for the lot garden: This plant is not only beautiful… but very hardy. It is quite happy in a large pot and made cheerful by a trim now and again. The chartreuse variety stays vibrant and green, providing shade throughout the summer.

Tips for growing your own: Don’t add too much water and be sure there is fast drainage. Watering can be infrequent and direct sun can be minimal.

Mad About Spring- Mad About Sophie!

Have you ever wondered who is our favorite photographer here at Lila B. Design? Have you wondered who wields a pencil like you would not believe when design-time rolls around? Our dear Sophie de Lignerolles is the Resourceress we cannot get enough of!!!

Gifted with a keen eye for color and resourceful hands that make magic out of found items, Sophie has been an indispensable part of Lila B. Design since shortly after it was created. Sophie manages our lot garden- ensuring it is bursting with city-grown goodness and as the talented house photographer, composes a vivid record of our growing things and fanciful arrangements. With an M.F.A. in Painting and an education in the fine arts that has taken her from Europe and New York to San Francisco, Sophie embodies cultivated artistic sensitivity with a tape measure on her hip: a combination that lends itself to tackling the most challenging floral and garden design projects with ease.

Do you an idea percolating that is curious or curiouser? Would you like to know how to transform a parking lot into…